The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-21
Debates on the Questions of Apos-
tolic Succession.
Other Topics Of Importance to the
Church Discussed.
Action Of the Missionary Society
of the Disciples Church.
Yesterdays Session Of the Universal
ist Convention in New York
Interesting Religious Intel
hgence.

LoulsyIIIg, KY, Oct. 20-The attend
Ance at the session 81 the Episcopal church
congress at Leiderkranz hall this morning
was again large Most of those present
wereladies. bishop Dudley announced that
the subject before the congress for immedi-
atediscussion was THE Historic Episco-
pate and Apostolic Succession" The first
writer was the Rev Edwin Harwood, ID.
d., Of New Haven, Conn. He reviewed
briefly the history of the early church.
He said that the east knew more scripture
than the west, but the west knew more OF
church history and discipline, and fought
all the battles Of the faith. He dwelt par
ticularly upon the differences between the
Pope and the kings Of England. DIR. Har-
wood was followed by the Rev. W. r.
Mackay, of Pittsburg; the Rev. VIM. II.
Fibbct, ID. d., Of Chicago; the Rev. +.
W. Donald, d. d., OF Ascension church,
New York; the Rev. X, A. Holland, d. d.,
Of st. Louis, and the Rev. c. II. Babcock,
u. D., Of Columbus, o.
Rev. Mr.. Mckay said that while the
government itself is divine, no particular
form is divine. That form is divine which
best accomplishes the true ends OF gov.
ernment This is true Of churches, and IL
is not a question OF which is the oldest
but Of which best performs the work to be
done for God His line Of argument was
that the bishop was merely general
manager Of the church for the purpose Of
looking over the field and arranging mat
tens which could not otherwise be attended
10. II was not the right TO confirm, or do
anything else which passed down from the
apostles, but merely the office.
The next writer was the Rev. VIM. III.
Nibbcrt, ID, OF Chicago. lie held that
the doctrine Of the apostolic succession
was what bound them 10 the church
which God himself established, and
against which, he declared, the gatcsoi hell
should not prevail. The line Of succession
IL unbrokcn and complete, and the last
link is as firmly connected with the theme
oi God as the frst. Dr. Nibbert's paper
was an exceedingly able argument in favor
of his line OF belief, and was frequently in
terruptcd by applause. The church
should surrender everything possible for
unity, he said, but this il could not sur
render
The first speaker on the topic was the
Rev. T.. W. Donald, II. d., OF Ascension
church, New York lie argued that apes
tolic succession is not thing Of divine in
stilution. The theory that no sacrament
IL valid which il not administered 10y
hands ordained by the bishops is a mon
strous one.
The next speaker introduced was the
Rev. II. A. Holland, ID. d., Of ~. Louis.
For three hundred years, he said, those
who have advocated unepiscopal churches
had been compelled 10 deny that lgnatius
wrote the epistles which bear his name.
The question Of authorship Of these cpistlcs
has been the silent point Of battle between
the Protestant and Catholic churches The
question has been settled at last by Bishop
Lightioo, In his marvellous book, and set
tied conclusivcly. Dr. Hollands address
was very forciblc one, and Mas loudly
applauded. Ne was followed by the Rev.
&. II. Babcock, d. d., Of Columbus.
Al the afternoon session, the Rev.
Thomas NJ Peters, ID. d., Of New York
city, read paper favoring change in the
basis Of representation In the general con
vention. lie thought that each dioccsc
should have a representation In proportion
90 the number Of communicates. The
Rev. 4. X. Davenport, Of Cairo, ILL.,,
spoke In defense OF the present system
viz each diocese having an equal vote and
the same representation In the council.